Recommendations for new phone

[MidnightFlyer]

I won't waste anyone's time with a tedious backstory.

Basically I'm looking for a new phone, hopefully one that is relatively modern (smartphone level or similar), but one that is also rather cheap (either as a contract or PAYG). Any advice appreciated!

Cheers

 

[cjp]

Cheap - the dual sim Chinese imports on ebay - sim free for under £100 and then go for sim deal on which you should pay less than a £10 a month. Just need to be aware of not the finest battery life but ought to see you through a day.
Not a recommendation just a suggestion as you have given no indication of your budget, just cheap - which is a relative term epsecially if you are one of RailUk's secret millionaires http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-5-HD-Mobile-Smart-Phone-Android-Quad-Core-Dual-Sim-Unlocked-3G-GPS-WiFi-8GB-/261388564475?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones&hash=item3cdbf8f7fb&autorefresh=true

 

[pdq]

I got my wife a Motorola Moto G for Christmas. It cost £135 and I've recently seen them on the Tesco website for £100. Couple that with a GiffGaff Simcard: either PAYG or monthly deals and you have a well specced phone that's good value.

 

[Crossover]

A couple of family members have had Nokia Lumia 520's since around Christmas time. For a budget smartphone, they seem relatively capable, even if they are Windows...

 

[MidnightFlyer]

A couple of family members have had Nokia Lumia 520's since around Christmas time. For a budget smartphone, they seem relatively capable, even if they are Windows...

At least it's not Apple Anyway, thanks. I asked on another forum and Nokia Lumia came up instantly. There are some very reasonable deals out there for them (contracts from £11.99/month) so I'll pursue that I think...

 

[transmanche]

At least it's not Apple Anyway, thanks. I asked on another forum and Nokia Lumia came up instantly. There are some very reasonable deals out there for them (contracts from £11.99/month) so I'll pursue that I think...

I got a Lumia 1020 recently, and I am very satisfied with it. The main reason for getting it was the excellent 41Mp camera - although the other Lumias have good cameras too,

And surprisingly (well it surprised me), I quite like the Windows Phone OS too. In fact I much prefer it to iOS. Took few days to get used to, but it's very easy-to-use.

 

[Donny Dave]

Another vote for the Lumia here, although word of caution, as the screens are not the sturdiest around (as I've found out the hard way). So saying that though, it's still relatively cheaper to get 1 repaired compared to an iPhone for example

 

[fowler9]

I've got a Samsung Galaxy Ace which is really good for what I need, cost about £80, the memory isn't great so you won't be able to fill it with Apps, I just have a few that I really need day to day. I've got an i-pad mini for more fancy stuff. There is a really good budget end Nokia Lumia.

 

[bb21]

And surprisingly (well it surprised me), I quite like the Windows Phone OS too. In fact I much prefer it to iOS. Took few days to get used to, but it's very easy-to-use.

I can't actually understand why people don't like Windows Phones. Apart from not having the ability to tether, it does everything else that I want. (I have a Lumia 800.) I find that the graphics are sharper on the Lumia models compared to other phones, and they are certainly very good value.

As for apps, there is a large selection out there too.

 

[harry42]

I also have a lumia windows phone, but with TalkTalk I get it for £8.95 per month with 5000 texts, 1000 minutes and 500 stuff of internet. That's on a 2 year contract and you pay no extra for the phone!

 

[HST Power]

My personal choice is still Blackberry, the Bold 9900 is still a great phone, as are many of the 'business' end models they have created. Unfortunately, I very much doubt that they'll be staying around for a great while longer, so I would go for a Samsung.

 

[ECML180]

For me the Samsung/Android combos are the best phones, I know you said something cheap but it can be a false economy if a cheap phone doesn't last! I've had a Galaxy S2 for nearly 2 and a half years and it will last for a good while longer, much more durable than other similar smartphones I've had in the past!

 

[87 027]

I recommend The Phones Show by Steve Litchfield for quality, unbiased reviews of phones (http://www.stevelitchfield.com/sshow/index.html).

I'd be wary about the lower end of the Android range, for both performance and build quality reasons. Personally like other posters I use a Lumia

 

[transmanche]

I can't actually understand why people don't like Windows Phones. Apart from not having the ability to tether, it does everything else that I want. (I have a Lumia 800.)

I can tether on my Lumia 1020, I thought it was a standard feature. (I have the Lumia Black update if it makes any difference. Or I wonder if it's a feature your network has suppressed: I'm on 3.)

 

[maniacmartin]

For Android, a Moto G on 24 month contract with Tesco Mobile. Nothing else beats it.

 

[87 027]

I can tether on my Lumia 1020, I thought it was a standard feature. (I have the Lumia Black update if it makes any difference. Or I wonder if it's a feature your network has suppressed: I'm on 3.)

The Lumia 800 is WP7 which might explain it? I have no problem using my Lumia 920 as a WiFi hotspot for other devices (T-Mobile)

 

[BlueFox]

I bought a moto G for £90 from Tesco in December. Got an unlock code from eBay for £2 and use it with a Three pay as you go sim. 3p a minute, 2p a text, 1p per megabyte. Great value for a light user like me.

I also have an Ovivo sim which gives me free calls, texts and internet but I find the internet to be really slow so keep it in my spare phone. Worth getting for the calls and texts.

The Moto G has been called the best phone you can get for less than £200. The only drawback is the lack of memory card slot.

 

[Crossover]

At least it's not Apple

Indeed! That said, I do have an iPhone 4S as my work phone and they are capable. Still not a huge fan of how locked down they are though

Another vote for the Lumia here, although word of caution, as the screens are not the sturdiest around (as I've found out the hard way). So saying that though, it's still relatively cheaper to get 1 repaired compared to an iPhone for example

I'd second that. One of my family members was trying to get the back off theirs (Windows, ironically, had locked up!) to remove the battery, didnt push in quite the right place and cracked the screen (which contains the digitiser). Being plastic though, a fix wasn't too expensive

I can't actually understand why people don't like Windows Phones.

It is Windows. 'nuff said

 

[Clip]

Another vote for the Lumia here, although word of caution, as the screens are not the sturdiest around (as I've found out the hard way). So saying that though, it's still relatively cheaper to get 1 repaired compared to an iPhone for example

Can buy a screen and the tools to fix an iPhone for about a fiver all in though on ebay.


OP - dont overlook the LG phones either or even the Sony Xperia models if you are going for a contract.

 

[ert47]

While I've personally not had too many problems with Xperia phones (currently using an Xperia T, mini pro before hand), many of my friends have reliability issues with them.

From me, another upvote for the Moto G, probably the best in-excessively-expensive Android handset in the market right now. My advice is to avoid any androids that are in the sub £100 bracket and any Samsung android that is not an Ace, Ace 2 or doesn't have an "S" in its name.

 

[bb21]

I can tether on my Lumia 1020, I thought it was a standard feature. (I have the Lumia Black update if it makes any difference. Or I wonder if it's a feature your network has suppressed: I'm on 3.)

The Lumia 800 is WP7 which might explain it? I have no problem using my Lumia 920 as a WiFi hotspot for other devices (T-Mobile)

Looks like it can now after doing an update. No idea why it couldn't before.

I can now proudly claim that there is nothing I wanted to do which my phone would not allow.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Cheers guys. Got it narrowed down to either (probably) a Nokia Lumia 625 or Motorola Moto G. I'll mull it over a bit.

 

[03_179]

I'm also interested this thread.

I have a Blackberry 9320 and I would like to keep it but it does my head in sometimes.

Mainly there is a free GPS logger program I use for photography purposes and I use the spreadsheet A LOT to note hualage and sightings.

So do any of the previously mentioned phones have a free GPS logging App and free spreadsheet App ??

Thanks guys.

 

[87 027]

The Lumias have Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote) built in and you can use a free app such as GPX Viewer to record your location tracks over time (despite its name it records as well as lets you view existing tracks). Also by default the Lumias will geotag photos and you can view them on a map in e.g. Nokia Storyteller Beta or Geophoto

 

[theblackwatch]

I've just got myself a Lumia (520), and despite my previous dislike of anything touch screen, I've found I quite like it - although there's a lot I've yet to touch as I only got the sim card earlier today. Getting used to 'people' is quite difficult though, gone are the days of having just a contact name and phone number, they're all linked with e-mail accounts and facebook too!

 

[Butts]

Some posters may remember i had a 6 year old LG phone purchased for £9.99.

Unfortunately I have had to replace it as the "power bit" you plug the charger into finally gave up the ghost.

Today I have had to expend the extortionate sum of £15 to replace it with a sim free Samsung E1200 from Argos.

Hope this one lasts as long as the old one !!!!

 

[richw]

I have a lumia 800 and a Sony Xperia sp at present. The Lumia is a great handset the only downside is the lack of apps. The Xperia would be my recommendation but doesn't come into the low cost category.
My wife has a lumia 520 and it's very slow system compared to the lumia 800.

 

[Tracked]

I've got an Alcatel S'Pop, £45 from Argos last October. Good for its price, the camera's not great but it runs and loads fairly quickly, it's one of those Android thingies w/Jelly Bean as its operating system

 

[Clip]

Work have just furnished me with the Blackberry 9720 which to be honest is a bit rubbish. The touch screen along with a full size keyboard makes no sense whatsoever and I cant even send it back I have to keep it and return the old curve Ive had for 2 years.